Background

Altering the outer shell of rice bran using enzymes from Hyphomycetes mycelia mushroom extract produces Arabinoxylan compound. The product called MGN-3 (or BioBran® in Japan) is a complex containing arabinoxylan as a major component.

Arabinoxylan has been found to improve immune reactions in diabetes and cancer patients. MGN-3 may also be of potential value in treating AIDS patients or those patients undergoing chemotherapy. However, there is currently a lack of strong human scientific evidence to support the use of arabinoxylan for any indication.

Although presented by manufacturers as a generally safe substance without side effects at recommended doses, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered a permanent court order in 2004 against the marketing of MGN-3, charging that it has been promoted as a drug treatment for cancer, diabetes and HIV.

Evidence

DISCLAIMER:
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Cancer (various types):
Arabinoxylan has been studied in the treatment of cancer. Additional study is needed in this area.
Grade: C

Diabetes (type 2):
There is currently a lack of scientific evidence investigating the role of arabinoxylan in diabetics. More study is needed before a firm recommendation can be made.
Grade: C

Tradition

WARNING:
DISCLAIMER:
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below. Asthma, cardiovascular disease, chemotherapy adverse effects (adriamycin chemotherapy gastroprotection, cisplatin chemotherapy gastroprotection), chemotherapy-induced leucopenia (abnormally low white blood cell count), chronic fatigue syndrome, hepatitis, herpes zoster, high cholesterol, HIV, hypertension (high blood pressure), immune system deficiencies, insomnia, neurasthenia (nervous exhaustion), poisoning, post-herpetic neuralgia (nerve pain), respiratory disease, stress reduction, tonic (kidney), ulcers.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)

In general, 600 milligrams a day in a divided dose has been used for daily health maintenance. The following doses have been used in scientific study, but are not proven effective or safe. For cancer, 3 grams of MGN-3 has been taken daily for up to six months in patients with different types of malignancies (such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, and cancers of the prostate, breast, cervix). Doses of 15, 30, and 45 milligrams per kilogram of MGN-3 have also been taken daily for two months.

For diabetes, 1-12 grams of arabinoxylan-rich fiber has been used daily.

Children (younger than 18 years)

There is currently a lack of available scientific evidence to recommend the use of arabinoxylan in children.